Fr Magallanes wrote and preached against armed
rebellion, but was falsely accused of promoting the Cristero Rebellion in the
area. He established a clandestine seminary at
Totatiche, Jalisco. Magallanes and the other priests were forced to minister
secretly to Catholics during the presidency of Plutarco Calles
(1924-1928). Arrested on May 21, 1927, while en route to celebrate
Mass at a farm, he gave away his few remaining possessions to his executioners,
gave them absolution, and without a trial, he was martyred four days
later.

Mateo
Correa was shot when he refused to break the seal of the confessional.
Jose Maria Robles was arrested when he was overheard agreeing
to officiate a wedding. Julio Alvares Mendoza was captured on
his way to say Mass. Before he was shot, Mendoza told his executioners, "My
crime is to be a minister of God. I pardon you."

During his homily at the
canonization Mass on May 21, 2000, Saint John Paul II addressed the Mexican men,
women and children present in Rome and said: “After the harsh trials
that the Church endured in Mexico during those turbulent years, today Mexican
Christians, encouraged by the witness of these witnesses to the faith, can live
in peace and harmony, contributing the wealth of gospel values to society. The
Church grows and advances, since she is the crucible in which many priestly and
religious vocations are born, where families are formed according to God's plan,
and where young people, a substantial part of the Mexican population, can grow
with the hope of a better future. May the shining example of Cristóbal
Magallanes and his companion martyrs help you to make a renewed commitment of
fidelity to God, which can continue to transform Mexican society so that
justice, fraternity and harmony will prevail among
all.”